Catch up on the actions of Saugatuck City Council from the past month

From setting the 2017-18 budget to discussing possible changes to the Saugatuck-Douglas Police Department, catch up on the actions of Saugatuck City Council from the end of June to the end of July.

By Jake.Allen@hollandsentinel.com616-546-4273

From setting the 2017-18 budget to discussing possible changes to the Saugatuck-Douglas Police Department, catch up on the actions of Saugatuck City Council from the end of June to the end of July.

Saugatuck sets 2017-18 budget, eyes road projects

The city of Saugatuck set its 2017-18 budget on June 26 and put aside $1.3 million for priority expenditures.

Those expenditures include $350,000 for the reconstruction of Perryman Street. This project will include the replacement of a guardrail in addition to the reconstruction of the street.

The city is also setting aside $2,520 for “city council compensation adjustment.” The city is still a few steps away, but council members could see an increase in pay per meeting with this item on the approved budget.

Policy to regulate memorial donations in Saugatuck approved

A policy regulating requests for memorial donations in Saugatuck was approved by the Saugatuck City Council on Monday, June 26.

According to the policy, its purpose is to “establish guidelines for consistent decision-making related to acceptance, placement and long-term maintenance of requests for memorial donations in city-owned facilities, parks and space.”

City Manager Kirk Harrier said an example of one of these memorials could be a bench in the city with a plaque that has someone’s name on it and says “In memory of ..

Saugatuck City Council approves purchase of new dump truck

Saugatuck City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new dump truck for the city’s department of public works at its meeting on July 10.

The money for the purchase was allocated in the city budget, which was approved in late June. The new dump truck will cost the city $139,028.10, according to a city council agenda report.

The snow plow will replace one of three trucks currently in the city’s large truck fleet. The city’s 1999 Sterling dump truck will be replaced by a 2018 international 7400 cab and chassis.

The city of Saugatuck continued its discussion of alternative options for its combined Saugatuck-Douglas Police Department at a workshop meeting on July 10.

Discussion began at a June 26 council meeting when a study done by Alexander Weiss Consulting regarding concerns with the current police department was presented to council.

City Manager Kirk Harrier said he expected the issue to play out over several council meetings when discussion first began.

Council started its workshop meeting by further discussing the study as well as feedback from the community regarding the police department.

Saugatuck bans sky lanterns

The lighting of sky lanterns is now prohibited in Saugatuck.

Saugatuck City Council adopted the 2015 International Fire Code as the city’s new fire code at it’s meeting Monday, July 24. The 2015 version prohibits the lighting of sky lanterns in the city.

Saugatuck City Council preps police survey for citizens

Saugatuck City Council has made “good progress” weighing alternative options to its current combined Saugatuck-Douglas Police Department, one councilmember said.

Councilmember Bill Hess said the Ad Hoc committee, purposed to work on the police department issue, met Thursday, July 20.

Previously City Manager Kirk Harrier said the department ate up a large portion of the city’s budget and that “some of the members of the community have expressed concerns about various things with the department” that included a lack of Saugatuck identity, lack of connection between police and the community, officers spending time on low-priority issues and response-related concerns.